ROCHESTER, MINN. – Last year, the St. Catherine University softball team opened the 2016 season by shocking the Division III softball landscape. The upstart Wildcats upset the No. 7 ranked team in the country, Luther College, and found themselves ranked for the first time in program history

On Saturday, St. Kate's once against found itself facing tough competition in the RCTC Dome in Rochester, Minnesota. This time, though, the situation was a little different. The Wildcats themselves were the No. 15 ranked team in the country, taking on the University of Wisconisn- Eau Claire, the No. 14 ranked team in the nation, and Washington University-St. Louis, a team that qualified for the DIII College World Series last season. The result was a split, as St. Kate's defeated UW-Eau Claire 5-4 in the opening game before falling to Wash-U by a score of 6-0.

The opening game of the day was two years in the making, as the Wildcats and Blu Golds had attempted to play each other multiple times since Colleen Powers took over the program four season ago. Unfortunately, due to weather and other circumstances, St. Kate's and UW-Eau Claire were unable to face each other on the field until Saturday, when the Wildcats managed to come out on top 5-4 thanks to timely hitting and strong pitching from junior ace Krista Flugstad (Bloomington, Minn. / Jefferson)

After two scoreless innings, the Blu Golds managed to take a 1-0 lead over the Wildcats, after leadoff hitter Rachel Heffel hit a one out single then stole second on the very next play. She later scored on a base hit by Leah Wolff, giving UW-Eau Claire a 1-0 advantage over St. Kate's.

Fortunately, the Wildcats had an answer of their own in the bottom of the very same inning. Brittney Frenette (Columbia Heights, Minn. / Irondale) drew a leadoff walk then advantaged to second  on a sacrifice bunt by centerfielder Anna Hinderaker (Rosemount, Minn. / Rosemount). Flugstad reached base safely on a fielder's choice, leaving runners at the corners for Kylie Macziewski (Bloomington, Minn. / Jefferson). The designated player delivered a clutch single, scoring Frenette and advancing Flugstad. Two batters later, Flugstad scored on a RBI single from catcher Sammie Galvez (Gilbert, Ariz. / Williams Field), giving St. Kate's a 2-1 advantage after three innings.

The Wildcats only added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. After a nearly perfect inning from Flugstad on the mound, St. Kate's hitters went to work to give their pitcher a bigger cushion. Ashley Sis (Brooklyn Park, Minn. / Osseo), Frenette and Flugstad all scored for the Wildcats in the bottom of the fourth inning to give their team, and Flugstad, a nice 5-1 cushion.

After a scoreless fifth and sixth inning, the Blu Golds decided to make things interesting in the top of the seventh inning. With just three outs separating her from her fourth win of the season, Flugstad ran into trouble after getting an early pop out to the second baseman to start the inning. It looked she would cruise to an easy victory, until Heffel reached base with a walk. Then, UW-Eau Claire managed to get three straight hits off Flugstad, cutting St. Kate's lead to 5-4 with two outs remaining. However, Flugstad remained cool under pressure and got the next two batters out to secure the 5-4 lead for the Wildcats.

Unfortunately, things didn't go St. Kate's way in the second game of the afternoon, as they fell to Wash-U 6-0. After falling behind 2-0 in the first inning, the Wildcats tried to take advantage of offensive opportunities in the remaining six innings, but were unable to do so. Their best chance came in the top of the sixth, when Macziewski reached base on an error by the starting first baseman. She advanced to second on a huge line drive to left field by Jenna George (Ellsworth, Wis. / Ellsworth), and both runners advanced to the next base on a wild pitch. Galvez, the next batter was walked, leaving the bases loaded with one out for St. Kate's. Sadly, Macziewski, pinch runner Gabby Nordman (Cloquet, Minn. / Denfield) and Galvez were stranded at their respective bases, and the Wildcats fell to Wash-U 6-0.

With the split, St. Kate's record now stands at 6-2 on the season. The Wildcats will return to the field on March 11 for their final game before heading down to Florida. That Saturday, St. Kate's will play a doubleheader against Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, another team receiving votes in the most recent NFCA poll.